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Crosshatch Sims

🔗D. Stearns <stearns@xxxxxxx.xxxx>

3/4/1999 6:13:21 PM

Regarding the recent thread on [Ezra Sims] 72-tET notation:

Paul Erlich wrote...
>the errors in harmonics above 18 can be both larger than 7 cents and can
lead to inconsistencies with JI

Joe Monzo wrote...
>In my opinion, other than using the ratios or prime-factors, this 72-Eq
notation is the most accurate way of notating complex JI music, and it's
much simpler than ratio/prime-factor.

I have used a variant of Ezra Sims� notation that adds a crosshatch* to the
existing (�arrow�, �half-arrow�, and �square root�) symbols.** This grew out
of a (rather quick, and largely theoretical) attempt to achieve a
�utilitarian�, all purpose pitch continuum notation (i.e., one that would
best approximate [most...] any _practical_, cents equivalent notational
contingency of ET or JI) that would still require learning just one main set
of (readily learnable) symbols�

While I believe that these 144tET symbols would accomplish that end (all
approximations would be _theoretically_ true within � four and one twelfth
cents), the conspicuous question remains as to whether the results would
achieve the idealized approximate targets�*** For although I find it very
easy to memorize one main set of three symbols (the �arrow�, �half-arrow�,
and �square root�), learning to _confidently navigate_ approximate eight and
a third cent alterations of eighth tones is quite another matter indeed!

In short - Are the pitch gradations so fine (again, even as a idealized
approximations...) as to cause more �errors of incertitude� than they would
finer representations of various intonation systems? [Is it _only_ a
conceptually idyllic expansion of the original 72 tET Sims notation?]

Dan

*Some might find the crosshatches �horizontalness� too easily absorbed by
the ledger lines� perhaps something along the lines of a small circle (much
like a degree symbol) could better accomplish the same task?

**Special microtonal accidentals that denote the specific variance in which
a pitch differs from the standard notational target pitches of twelve tone
equal temperament.

***Sixth tone notation [at least Sims] already has a very convincing �track
record.�